South Africa have included Johan Botha and Robin Peterson in their 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy in Pakistan next month.

Gerald Majola, the CEO of Cricket South Africa, said the spin duo were included to add depth to the squad. "The selection committee has opted for the two bowlers, considering the tournament takes place in the subcontinent," he said. "And having both left-arm and right-arm options in Robin Peterson and Johan Botha gives the selectors the variation they're looking for."

Botha, who is currently on tour in England with the South one-day side, has played 27 ODIs, taking 19 wickets. He last played against Bangladesh in March 2008.

Peterson, who was part of the Test squad which recently claimed victory in the four-match series in England, was, however, overlooked for the one-dayers. His previous appearance came in the 2007 World Cup, when he played against New Zealand

South Africa are placed in Group B in the league phase of the Champions Trophy, alongside Sri Lanka, England and New Zealand. They open their campaign when they take on New Zealand on September 14.

Labels

Subscribe To

Did u know?

Mohammad Yousuf, in successive ODI innings against Zimbabwe in 2002, scored 141*, 76*, 100* and 88, thereby scoring a world-record 405 runs between dismissals. The previous record of 400 belonged to Lance Klusener, who scored 103*, 35*, 13* and 35* against New Zealand, and then 12*, 52*, 48*, 52* and 46* in the World Cup in England, before finally being dismissed for 4.